Wireless sensor in a downhole operation

ABSTRACT

An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a downhole tool that includes a body that includes electronics and an antenna array. The downhole tool also includes a sensor that includes a wireless transceiver that is coupled to the body of the downhole tool through a pivot arm. The sensor is to measure a downhole parameter and to wirelessly transmit the downhole parameter to the electronics through the antenna array.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application relates generally to communications. In particular, the application relates to a wireless sensor in a downhole operation.

BACKGROUND

During drilling operations for extraction of hydrocarbons, measurement of different downhole parameters. Such parameters may include the downhole temperature and pressure, the various characteristics of the subsurface formations (such as resistivity, density, porosity, etc.), the characteristics of the borehole (e.g., size, shape, etc.), etc. The drill string used to perform the drilling operations typically includes a downhole tool having a number of sensors to measure such parameters. Some of these sensors may need to make contact with the formation using pivoting arms using mechanical/hydraulic devices. These mechanical/hydraulic devices allow the sensors to make required measurements in a variety of borehole conditions, shapes and diameters.

Because these devices include electronics (e.g., the sensors) to obtain these measurements, the devices typically need insulated wiring to transmit the data back to the electronics within the downhole tool that is part of the drill string. There may be reliability issues because this device is moving, under potentially high pressure and temperature and in a potentially conductive environment. Moreover, the wiring can restrict the potential flexibility of the sensor movements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numbering scheme for the Figures included herein are such that the leading number for a given reference number in a Figure is associated with the number of the Figure. For example, electronics 102 can be located in FIG. 1. However, reference numbers are the same for those elements that are the same across different Figures. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication sensor attached to a pivot arm of a downhole tool, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless communication sensor attached to a hydraulically activated part of a downhole tool, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tethered or deployed unattached sensor in a downhole operation, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless sensor that has been fired or deployed into the formation or the borehole, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, apparatus and systems for a wireless sensor in a downhole operation are described. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication sensor attached to a pivot arm of a downhole tool, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 includes electronics 102 and an antenna array 104, which that may be part of a downhole tool for drilling operations. The downhole tool may be part of a wireline system or a Measurement While Drilling (MWD)/Logging While Drilling (LWD) system. A sensor/pad 106 having a pad transceiver 108 is coupled to the downhole tool through a pivot arm 110. The sensor/pad 106 may make measurements of various parameters downhole. Such parameters may include the downhole temperature and pressure, the various characteristics of the subsurface formations (such as resistivity, density, porosity, etc.), the characteristics of the borehole (e.g., size, shape, etc.), etc. The pad transceiver 108 wirelessly communicates with the antenna array 104. For example, the pad transceiver 108 may use electromagnetic communications through the borehole and or the body of the downhole tool.

The antenna array 104 operates at a band of frequencies or frequencies that are selected to optimize transmission in a downhole logging or drilling environment. The antenna array 104 is selected to provide data flow at the desired variable distance from the sensor/pad 106. The antenna array 104 is selectable, either manually or automatically, to suit the individual environments of operation. Operating environment may include conductive or nonconductive fluids, air, gas or any hydrocarbon-based fluid. The sensor/pad 106 may be powered using external wires, a self-powered by localized electromagnetic field and/or an internal power source.

The antenna array 104 may be pressure compensated and/or exposed to the borehole fluid. The antenna array 104 may include a single individual antenna or a series of antennas. The data rate of transfer between the pad transceiver 108 and the antenna array 104 may be set by the individual sensor requirement. The data rate of transfer may vary depending on the type of measurement. The antenna array 104 may be used for a multiple sensor assembly for separate sections of the downhole tool.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless communication sensor attached to a hydraulically activated part of a downhole tool, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 includes electronics 202 and an antenna array 204, which that may be part of a downhole tool for drilling operations. The downhole tool may be part of a wireline system or a Measurement While Drilling (MWD)/Logging While Drilling (LWD) system. A sensor/pad 206 having a pad transceiver 208 is coupled to the downhole tool through a hydraulically activated arm 215. The sensor/pad 206 may make measurements of various parameters downhole. Such parameters may include the downhole temperature and pressure, the various characteristics of the subsurface formations (such as resistivity, density, porosity, etc.), the characteristics of the borehole (e.g., size, shape, etc.), etc. The pad transceiver 208 wirelessly communicates with the antenna array 204. For example, the pad transceiver 208 may use electromagnetic communications through the borehole and or the body of the downhole tool.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tethered or deployed unattached sensor in a downhole operation, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 includes electronics 302 and an antenna array 304, which that may be part of a downhole tool for drilling operations. The downhole tool may be part of a wireline system or a Measurement While Drilling (MWD)/Logging While Drilling (LWD) system. A sensor/pad 306 includes a pad transceiver 308. The sensor/pad 306 may be tethered or deployed unattached in the borehole. The sensor/pad 306 may make measurements of various parameters downhole. Such parameters may include the downhole temperature and pressure, the various characteristics of the subsurface formations (such as resistivity, density, porosity, etc.), the characteristics of the borehole (e.g., size, shape, etc.), etc. The pad transceiver 308 wirelessly communicates with the antenna array 304. For example, the pad transceiver 308 may use electromagnetic communications through the borehole and or the body of the downhole tool.

FIG. 4 illustrates a wireless sensor that has been fired or deployed into the formation or the borehole, according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 includes electronics 402 and an antenna array 404, which that may be part of a downhole tool for drilling operations. The downhole tool may be part of a wireline system or a Measurement While Drilling (MWD)/Logging While Drilling (LWD) system. A sensor 406 may be fired or deployed into the formation or into the borehole. The sensor 406 may make measurements of various parameters downhole. Such parameters may include the downhole temperature and pressure, the various characteristics of the subsurface formations (such as resistivity, density, porosity, etc.), the characteristics of the borehole (e.g., size, shape, etc.), etc. The sensor 406 wirelessly communicates with the antenna array 404. For example, the sensor may use electromagnetic communications through the borehole and or the body of the downhole tool.

In the description, numerous specific details such as logic implementations, opcodes, means to specify operands, resource partitioning/sharing/duplication implementations, types and interrelationships of system components, and logic partitioning/integration choices are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, control structures, gate level circuits and full software instruction sequences have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions will be able to implement appropriate fimctionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

A number of figures show block diagrams of systems and apparatus for a wireless sensor in a downhole operation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. A number of figures show flow diagrams illustrating operations for a wireless sensor in a downhole operation, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The operations of the flow diagrams are described with references to the systems/apparatus shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams.

In view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a downhole tool comprising: a body that includes electronics and an antenna array; and a sensor that includes a wireless transceiver that is coupled to the body of the downhole tool through a pivot arm, wherein the sensor is to measure a downhole parameter and to wirelessly transmit the downhole parameter to the electronics through the antenna array. 